Wander Franco gets conditional release as probe into relationship with minor continues

A judge in the Dominican Republic granted conditional release to Wander Franco on Friday.

The Rays star, appearing in court in Puerto Plata on Friday afternoon over allegations he engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, was also ordered to pay 2 million pesos — approximately $34,000 — and is allowed to leave the Dominican Republic but must return once a month to meet with authorities.

The 22-year-old Rays star is accused of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering, as was the girl’s mother, who Franco gave a car and money in exchange for her consent, according to court documents.

The girl’s 35-year-old mother, who works at a local bank, per the Associated Press, was ordered to stay under house arrest.

Judge Rumaldi Marcelino opted for the conditional release.

She had other choices that included temporarily arresting him or preventing him from leaving the Dominican Republic.

Supporters of Franco held up signs that read “Free Wander” and “We all are Franco” as he entered the courthouse in Puerto Plata.

“Everything is going to be in God’s hands,” he told reporters during a recess in the hearing.

Franco was arrested Monday after missing a meeting with prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías.

His lawyers have not commented on the case but have said Franco is “doing fine,” per the Associated Press.

Dominican officials said they began the investigation into Franco after receiving a tip in July after someone saw a media post alluding to the relationship.

In August, a social media post suggested he had a relationship with a minor.

Authorities accuse Franco of taking the minor away from her home in Puerto Plata in December 2022 and having a four-month relationship with her with consent from the girl’s mother.

They accuse Franco of sending the mother monthly payments of $1,700 for seven months and buying her a car “in order to allow the relationship and let her go out with him wherever she wanted,” according to the document, which quoted the girl.

The girl also was quoted as saying that she had demanded for a local digital media site to publish an item about her alleged relationship with the baseball player because she was “tired” of her mother, whom she accused of taking Franco’s money and not sharing any of it with her.

There have been subsequent claims he had engaged in relationships with other underage girls.

He appeared to deny the allegations in an Instagram Live post on Aug. 13.

“They say that I’m in public with a little girl, that I’m running around with a minor,” Franco said in Spanish, according to the Tampa Bay Times. “People don’t know what to do with their time. They don’t know what they’re talking about.

“That’s why I prefer to be on my side and not get involved with anybody … because people gossip and talk smack.”

In September 2023, authorities raided the home of the girl’s mother and seized 800,000 Dominican pesos — about $13,700 — as well as $68,500 they said was found hidden behind a frame.

Another seizure at a different home found a guarantee certificate from a local bank for 2.1 million Dominican pesos ($36,000) that they said was delivered by Franco for the “commercial and sexual exploitation” of the girl.

In addition, they seized a Suzuki Swift worth $26,600, according to the document.

Authorities noted that days before the car was bought, the teenager’s mother had the equivalent of $821 in her bank account.

The mother also bought property in Puerto Plata worth $36,000, they said.

Authorities also state that Franco’s mother had sent money to the girl’s mother, but she has not been charged in the case even though they said she got involved “to avoid traces of her son with the accused.”

Franco, who signed the biggest contract in Rays history in 2021 — an extension worth $182 million over 11 years — was placed on administrative leave by MLB on Aug. 22 and was seemingly scrubbed from all the Rays’ advertising and stadium decor.

Despite his absence, he earned $700,000 in bonus pool money due to his performance during the season, hitting .281 with 17 homers, 58 RBIs and 30 stolen bases over 112 games, earning All-Star honors.

— With AP